Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 324,402 units sold in 2011, a 26.3 percent increase over prior year sales. December sales totaled 32,502, up 36.2 percent over 2010, marking the best December since 1972.

"December capped off a successful year of growth for Volkswagen of America," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. "In addition to strong sales performance, in 2011 we opened an award-winning manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., launched the all-new Beetle and Passat - which won the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year - and the brand made the biggest improvement in Sales Satisfaction in the industry. We look forward to carrying this momentum into 2012."

The Chattanooga-built Passat, one of the three finalists for North American Car of the Year, outsold 2010's volume by 124 percent selling 22,779 units, including 6,884 units for the month of December 2011.

Jetta sedan sales totaled 150,515 for 2011 a 54.5 percent increase over 2010; in December 12,422 units were sold marking an 18 percent increase.

The 2012 Beetle sold 5,626 units for the year, 1,530 for the month of December. GTI sales increased 22.6 percent for the year and 24.6 percent increase in December sales. The Touareg saw an increase in sales of 59.9 percent for the year and 38.6 percent for December.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.